As part of the philanthropic program, Toyota asks participants to submit a photo with a short description to nominate a co-worker who volunteers in the community and to choose one of five nonprofit organizations to receive a brand new Toyota electric pallet truck. Second and third place submissions will receive a hand pallet truck and fourth and fifth place will receive a monetary donation. Representing various humanitarian, community service and environmental needs, the five participating 501(c) nonprofit organizations are: AMVETS,Best Friends Animal Society, Direct Relief International, Feeding America and the Arbor Day Foundation.

"Pallet trucks serve a vital role to help nonprofit groups transport donations and supplies, said Jeff Rufener, President of TMHU. "We look forward to helping the selected nonprofits with a little extra 'lifting' power."

To participate, the individual nominating a co-worker simply submits their nominee on the Lift a Co-Worker, Lift a Community app on the Toyota Forklift Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ToyotaForklift, uploads a photo, writes a short description of their co-worker's volunteer activities and selects a nonprofit group. The submission that receives the most votes will win a brand new Toyota electric pallet truck to be donated to the selected nonprofit organization. Second and third place nonprofits organizations will receive a brand new Toyota hand pallet truck. Monetary contributions will be distributed to the nonprofit organizations that place fourth and fifth. Participants must vote by December 31, 2013 and final recipients will be announced on January 15, 2014.

About AMVETS

A leader since 1944 in pre­serv­ing the free­doms secured by America's armed forces, AMVETS pro­vides sup­port for vet­er­ans and the active mil­i­tary in procur­ing their earned enti­tle­ments, as well as com­mu­nity ser­vice and leg­isla­tive reform that enhances the qual­ity of life for this nation's cit­i­zens and vet­er­ans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered vet­er­ans' ser­vice orga­ni­za­tions in the United States, and includes mem­bers from each branch of the mil­i­tary, includ­ing the National Guard and Reserves. To learn more visit http://www.amvets.org/.

About Best Friends Animal Society

Best Friends Animal Society® is the only national animal welfare organization focused exclusively on ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. An authority and leader in the no-kill movement since its founding in 1984, Best Friends runs the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals, as well as life-saving programs in partnership with rescue groups and shelters across the country. Since its founding, Best Friends has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from 17 million per year to about 4 million. Best Friends has the knowledge, technical expertise and on-the-ground network to end the killing and Save Them All™.

About Direct Relief

Direct Relief is a leading medical relief organization, active in all 50 states and in 70 countries. The organization has been among the world's largest medical suppliers in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, has top charity ratings, including four-star and "top-notch" rating from Charity Navigator, and a 99% fundraising efficiency rating from Forbes magazine. For more information visit http://www.directrelief.org/.

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, Feeding America's network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find Feeding America on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow Feeding America's news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

About Arbor Day Foundation

Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available at http://www.arborday.org/.